Townsville (YBTL)
Airspace
TL ADC owns the Class C airspace in the TL CTR (Extends to 7NM from the thresholds of Runway 01/19) from SFC to A015. TL TCU administers the overlying airspace from A015 to F125.
Tower Closed Procedures
When TL TCU is offline, the TL CTR (Class C SFC to A085) reverts to Class G. CTAF procedures apply at YBTL.
Circuits
The circuit height is A015.
Circuit Direction
| Runway | Direction |
|---|---|
| 01 | Left |
| 07 | Left |
| 19 | Right |
| 25 | Right |
Departures
VFR aircraft should expect a visual departure on track to their first tracking point.
IFR civil aircraft should expect to be issued with a SID as per below:
| Aircraft Type | Runway | First Waypoint | SID |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | All | ANRUB | ANRUB SID |
| All | All | CATEY | CATEY SID |
| All | All | JEMMA | JEMMA SID |
| All | All | WALTA | WALTA SID |
| All | RWY 01 | CARMN | CARMN SID |
| All | RWY 01/19 | AKROM | ADNOD SID, AKROM transition |
| All | RWY 01/19 | PEWEE | ADNOD SID, PEWEE transition |
In IMC, military fast jets may be assigned the Thunder (Runway 01) or Lightning (Runway 19) coded clearance
All other aircraft may be assigned a visual departure or the TL NORTH SID, TL EAST SID, RURTO SID, or IGBIK SID.
Arrivals
An ILS is available to RWY 01. RNP approaches are available to all runways. RNP(AR) approaches are available to RWY 01 and RWY 19. VOR and NDB approaches are also available.
IFR aircraft can generally expect to be processed via a STAR for the following approach:
| Runway | Approach |
|---|---|
| RWY 01 | ILS |
| RWY 19 | RNP |
VFR aircraft can expect to join the circuit for the most suitable runway.
Initial and Pitch
The intial points are 5NM from the ARP, displaced 1,000 feet laterally to the dead side of the runway, A025.
Special Use Airspace
Military Gates
There are several military gates established throughout the TL TMA to facilitate entry and exit to adjoining SUA.
| Intended SUA | TCU Exit Gate |
|---|---|
| M742 | KAGES (RWY 01 DEP) REGIN (RWY 19 DEP) |
| R736 | TANGO |
| R738A-H | TANGO |
| R738G-H | TANGO |
| R732 | TANGO |
| R739 | TANGO |
| R747 | N/A |
| R751 | TANGO |
| R752 | TANGO |
Note
Details of each gate can be found in the Townsville FIHA.
Phraseology
DPBR23 plans to enter the M742 MOA via KAGES for military training and airwork.
DPBR23: "Townsville Delivery, DPBR23 for KAGES, A100 for M742, request clearance."
TL ACD: "DPBR23, Townsville Delivery. Cleared KAGES, visual departure. Climb to A100, squawk 6001, departure frequency 126.8."
DPBR23: "Cleared KAGES, visual departure. Climb to A100, squawk 6001, departure frequency 126.8, DPBR23."
Thunder and Lightning
There are two military coded clearances designed to facilitate fast jet departures in IMC.
Aircraft should request either the Lightning 1 Departure (if departing Runway 01), or the Thunder 1 Departure (if departing Runway 19), which entails tracking runway heading while performing a steep climb to reach the MSA.
Phraseology
VIGL11: "Townsville Delivery, VIGL11 for YAMB, request Lightning 1 and clearance.”
TL ACD: "VIGL11, Townsville Delivery, cleared to YAMB via JEMMA flight planned route. Lightning 1 departure, climb to F180, squawk 6066, departure frequency 126.8"
VIGL11: "Cleared to YAMB via JEMMA flight planned route. Lightning 1 departure, climb to F180, squawk 6066, departure frequency 126.8, VIGL11"
VFR Procedures
VFR aircraft transiting to/from YBTL should plan via a VFR route.
VFR Routes
There are six VFR routes established in and around the YBTL TMA to facilitate VFR operations.
| VFR Routes | Inbound | Outbound |
|---|---|---|
| Clevedon | TL - 771ft Hill - CEN - GIRU | GIRU - CEN - 771ft Hill - Abeam SUNZ |
| Thornton North | TL - MBC - TNP | TNP - MBC - TL |
| Thornton South | TL - MMT - TNP | TNP - MMT - TL |
| Rollingstone | TL - Abeam YBU - TOOU | TOOU - Abeam YBU - TL |
| Stuart | TL - Stuart - ANP - DOP | DOP - ANP - Stuart - TL |
| Upper Ross | TVL TAC - TCNR - RRDM - Abeam RMT - DOP | DOP - Abeam RMT - RRDM - TCNR - TVL TAC |
When Runway 01 is in use, the Thornton North VFR route is generally used for departures, while the Thornton South VFR route is used for arrivals. When Runway 19 is in use, the usage is reversed.
Note
Details of each VFR route are available on the Townsville VTC.
Bluewater Clearance
The D764 Townsville danger area, also known as the Bluewater Training Area, is a commonly used training area west of YBTL.
Aircraft departing to the training area should be cleared a 'BLUEWATER' clearance. This clearance gives aircraft permission depart the TL MIL CTR, and transit to the D764 danger area via the appropriate track.
| Duty RWY | Direction | Tracking | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RWY 01 | Outbound | YBTL-via coast remaining over land-D764 | Not above A015 until within D764 |
| RWY 01 | Inbound | D764-YBU-YBTL | |
| RWY 19 | Outbound | YBTL-YBU-D764 | Not above A015 until within D764 |
| RWY 19 | Inbound | D764-via coast remaining over land-YBTL |
Phraseology
ABC: "Townsville Delivery, ABC for Bluewater Training Area, request clearance.”
TL ACD: "ABC, cleared BLUEWATER, not above A015, squawk 0361, departure frequency 126.8"
ABC: "Cleared BLUEWATER, not above A015, squawk 0361, departure frequency 126.8, ABC"
YPAM Traffic
In VMC, light aircraft travelling between YBTL and YPAM should be cleared a 'CORDELIA' or 'RATTLESNAKE' clearance, according to the YBTL runway in use.
| Duty RWY | Clearance | Tracking Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RWY 01 or 07 | CORDELIA Outbound | YBTL RDRS RKI052005 YPAM |
Aircraft to remain east of RDRS and Cordelia Rocks (RKI052005) |
| RWY 01 or 07 | RATTLESNAKE Inbound | YBTL MBHR RKI YPAM |
When R747 restricted area is active, expect amended tracking |
| RWY 19 or 25 | RATTLESNAKE Outbound | YPAM RKI MBHR YBTL |
When R747 restricted area is active, expect amended tracking |
| RWY 19 or 25 | CORDELIA Inbound | YPAM RKI052005 RDRS YBTL |
Aircraft to remain east of RDRS and Cordelia Rocks (RKI052005) |
Phraseology
DEF: "Townsville Delivery, DEF for YPAM, request clearance.”
TL ACD: "DEF, Townsville Delivery, cleared CORDELIA Outbound, climb A035, squawk 0313, departure frequency 126.8."
DEF: "Cleared CORDELIA Outbound, climb A035, squawk 0313, departure frequency 126.8, DEF."
Helicopter Operations
Helipads
There are two helipads at YBTL:
- Helipad F (at the intersection of Taxiways B and F)
- Helipad B (north of Taxiway B abeam the HELO apron)
Both helipads are part of the manoeuvring area and controlled by TL ADC. Any helicopter taking off or landing on the helipads require a specific takeoff or landing clearance from ADC.
Phraseology
TL ADC: "FTBY21, helipad F, cleared to land"
Departures
VFR helicopters are generally processed via a VFR route. IFR helicopters should conform to fixed wing operations and expect the appropriate radar SID from a duty runway, unless a visual departure is acceptable.
Arrivals
VFR helicopters are generally processed via a VFR route. IFR helicopters should conform to fixed wing operationss and expect to be processed via an appropriate runway.
During busy periods, ADC may choose to instruct helicopters to hold at a clearance limit to facilitate separation with other aircraft.
| Duty Runway | Expected Clearance Limit |
|---|---|
| 01 | 'The Lakes' (TL123002) |
| 19 | KSPT |
Phraseology
ABC: "Townsville Tower, helicopter ABC, SUNZ for YBTL, A005, received Tango, request clearance"
TL ADC: "ABC, Townsville Tower, clearance limit KSPT, maintain A005. Report at KSPT"
ABC: "Clearance limit KSPT, maintain A005, report at KSPT, ABC"
Operating Areas
There are multiple defined operating areas within the TL MIL CTR to facilitate helicopter operations.
Northern Grass
Helicopters may perform airwork below 100FT AGL within the 'Northern Grass', an area north of the northern OLA.
Helicopters requesting clearance to operate in the Northern Grass should expect to be cleared to air transit to, and then operate within, the area by ADC.
Phraseology
AGRY11: "Townsville Tower, helicopter AGRY11, Heli Apron, for the Northern Grass."
TL ADC: "AGRY11, Townsville Tower, air transit Northern Grass, cross runway 07. Report established."
AGRY11: "Air transit Northern Grass, cross runway 07, AGRY11."
AGRY11: "Townsville Tower, AGRY11, established Northern Grass."
TL ADC: "AGRY11, cleared to operate Northern Grass, not above 100ft."
Helo West
The Helo West operating area is located north-west of the ARP, within TL MIL CTR airspace. Helicopters may request clearance to operate within the circuit area, not above A010.
Most operations within the Helo West area will use Pad West, a designated landing site west of Taxiway M outside the manouevring area.
Aircraft may be instructed to maintain a listening watch upon reporting established in the area. This allows the aircraft to operate within the lateral confines without needing to report airborne or on the ground.
Phraseology
CHSW41: "Townsville Tower, helicopter CHSW41, Heli Apron, for Helo West."
TL ADC: "CHSW41, Townsville Tower, air transit Pad West, cross runway 07."
CHSW41: "Air transit Pad West, cross runway 07, CHSW41"
CHSW41: "Townsville Tower, CHSW41, established Pad West."
TL ADC: "CHSW41, cleared to operate Helo West, not above A010. Maintain listening watch."
CHSW41: "Cleared to operate Helo West, not above A010, maintain listening watch, CHSW41."
This can be cancelled at any time by ADC by instructing the aircraft to 'resume full reporting'. At this point, helicopters must report airborne on upon landing, and comply with any additional ATC instructions.
Phraseology
TL ADC: "CHSW41, resume full reporting."
CHSW41: "Resume full reporting, CHSW41"
Lavarack Circuit Area
The Lavarack Circuit Area is established over the Lavarack Barracks (YLVK), southwest of YBTL. Helicopters may request the activation of the Lavarack Circuit Area, not above A010.
Town Common
Town Common is a helicopter training area north-west of the ARP, within TL MIL CTR airspace. The area is divided into three subsections: Town Common East, Town Common West, and Many Peaks.
Helicopters intending to operate in any part of Town Common should request clearance from ACD.
Phraseology
CROW22: "Townsville Delivery, helicopter CROW22, Heli Apron, for Town Common West, request clearance."
TL ACD: "CROW22, Townsville Delivery, cleared Town Common West, not above A015, squawk 6417."
CROW22: "Cleared Town Common West, not above A015, squawk 6417, CROW22."